Lancaster dedicates memorial to fallen firefighters

LANCASTER — Ten years have passed since Firefighter Martin "Marty" McNamara died in a house fire on Mill Street on Nov. 29, 2003.

The Lancaster Fire Department built a memorial to honor his memory, as well as to honor Firefighter Fred McGee, who died in 1931 of injuries while responding to a fire call.

The memorial was dedicated last Friday, Nov. 29, with a parade of firefighters, including contingents from Stow and Sterling. A bagpiper, sounding the mournful call, led the way down Main Street.

At the memorial ceremony, Rev. Susan Suchocki Brown said she was there 10 years ago and prayed for the safety and well-being of the McNamara family.

"This is a place of honor for those who gave their lives for us and those who have served. Every time I pass by, I say a prayer for Marty," Suchocki said.

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Hanson told the crowd of about 100 attendees that the origin of the rock that now stands in the middle of the brick and granite memorial is unknown. He also introduced Clinton Police Officer Edward Jeffery and his family, who are related to Firefighter McGee.

Fire Marshall Steve Coan said he "vividly remembers the horrible incident 10 years ago in South Lancaster" that took McNamara's life. "The most trying and horrific part of my job is to respond to a loss of a firefighter. That morning I could see the pain on the faces of all the firefighters."

The call to Mill Street went out at 3:34 a.m., according to Chief Mike Hanson, who was one of the responding firefighters that day.

"There was nothing showing from the outside. Everyone in the house had gotten out safely. We found out in a short time that it was a basement fire. There was also a natural gas line, and the fire became gas fed. It was a cluttered basement, very smoky; they got turned around down there. Most of them came out. At 4:45 a.m. the call for a missing firefighter went out. We weren't sure who it was at first, but very quickly we knew it was Marty," Hanson said.

Several attempts were made to rescue McNamara, but to no avail. Firefighters from Lancaster, Sterling, Clinton and Devens were on the scene.

Coan said that, out of that tragedy, one positive thing emerged.

"There was no statute on the books at the time to provide for the families of lost call firefighters. The Marty McNamara Bill made a correction to the state laws. And, at the academy graduation of firefighters, a Marty McNamara award is given," Coan said.

Selectmen Stanley Starr and Susan Smiley, State Representative Harold Naughton Jr. and State Senator Jen Flanagan also spoke at the ceremony.

"The best way to honor Marty's memory is by continuing to show respect for our volunteers, our professionals," Naughton said.

Flanagan added, "One of the securities we have is that we can call someone when we need them. This rock and bench are opportunities to talk about community and service to our children, to tell them of the sacrifices that these men and women make every day. He came running when that call was made."

The McNamara family's life changed forever 10 years ago.

"We had a simple life, two daughters, we loved our jobs, loved our girls, he was living his dream as a firefighter," McNamara's wife Claire said. "When that fire tone went off, he was off and running, and he had already responded to two calls."

The McNamaras were high school sweethearts who met in 1986.

"I love you to the moon and back, Marty," she said. "I am glad that the last five words I said to you, were 'Hey babe, I love you."

The firefighters laid wreaths beside the rock and the stone bench engraved with these words, "In Memory of Those that Served and Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice: Firefighter Fred L. McGee LODD July 31, 1931 Firefighter Martin H. "Marty" McNamara V LODD November 29, 2003."

The, the fire bell was rung five times.

"We ring the five when everyone is home and safe," Hanson said. "We ring the five today for the two, for now they are home and safe."